The Jumping Bridge on Sugarloaf Key

We took a break from sailing and the madness of Fantasy Fest here in Key West, and decided to make the trek to the Jumping Bridge off of Sugarloaf Key. We heard this place was a locals' favorite, and an off the beaten path gem. We had to check it out, so we packed up the pup and headed a couple islands down to Sugarloaf.

We followed the vague directions and after a short hike down a barricaded and abandoned road, and parking next to the huge "No Parking" signs, we found the Jumping Bridge. It looked like something straight out of the Walking Dead. The bridge was built to cross a canal, leading into the Atlantic. It reminded me of our favorite swimming holes back home in Missouri, except the current was stronger towards the sea, it was salt water, and absolutely packed with wildlife like red snapper and jellyfish.

Although there were several people at the Jumping Bridge, Ben was the first to jump (after snorkeling down to make sure all was good and safe). I chickened out and didn't jump :)

The water was crystal clear, and we could see down about 6 feet. That's probably why this was one of Ruca's favorite spots. She loved staring down at the fish, swimming upstream, and chasing skipping rocks and sea shells across the canal.

If you find yourself in the keys, sick of the same old beaches and the same old Key West tourist traps, like we were, head out to Sugarloaf and check out the Jumping Bridge! It was a good hike for a cloudy day, absolutely worth it and a really nice change in pace.

Thanks for reading,

Quinn, Ben and Ruca

.

#lifeaboard #destinations #Florida